(09/12/06) MINEOLA ? On day two of the second-degree murder trial of Martin Heidgen, defense attorneys hinted at the possibility of a mistrial.
Heidgen stands accused of killing two while driving drunk going the wrong way on the Meadowbrook Parkway on July 2, 2005. Limo driver Stanley Rabinowitz and 7-year-old passenger Katie Flynn died in the nearly head-on collision. Officials say both were killed instantly and Flynn?s head was decapitated. Tuesday?s testimony from a medical examiner discussed the means he used to identify Flynn due to her decapitation, which is a topic defense attorneys say pretrial judges ruled off limits. Jurors also heard testimony from a NYC corrections officer and a member of the Freeport Police Department.
Five of Flynn?s relatives, also passengers in the limo, suffered life-threatening injuries. Attending the trial and being so close to Heidgen, they say, has been extremely difficult.
Related information: Mother offers graphic testimony during Meadowbrook Parkway limo crash trial Prosecutors say finding impartial jury will be challenging in fatal Meadowbrook crash Judge rules crucial evidence is admissible in deadly Meadowbrook crash Attorney for defendant in fatal DWI crash asks judge to toss evidence Assistant DA says driver in Meadowbrook crash may have been trying to kill himself Flower girl killed in parkway crash laid to rest in Long Beach Charges upgraded in crash that killed 7-year-old Long Beach flower girl Mother of Long Beach girl killed in DWI crash speaks out against drunk drivers Long Beach family mourns the loss of little girl killed by drunk driver Man charged in fatal DWI crash on Meadowbrook faces victims' families in court Drunk driving accident on Meadowbrook Parkway kills two people